Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Happy are those who respect the Lord,
    who want what he commands.
² Their descendants will be powerful in the land;
    the children of honest people will be blessed.
³ Their houses will be full of wealth and riches,
    and their goodness will continue forever.
⁴ A light shines in the dark for honest people,
    for those who are merciful and kind and good.
⁵ It is good to be merciful and generous.
    Those who are fair in their business
⁶ will never be defeated.
    Good people will always be remembered.
⁷ They won’t be afraid of bad news;
    their hearts are steady because they trust the Lord.
⁸ They are confident and will not be afraid;
    they will look down on their enemies.
⁹ They give freely to the poor.
    The things they do are right and will continue forever.
    They will be given great honor.

¹⁰ The wicked will see this and become angry;
    they will grind their teeth in anger and then disappear.
    The wishes of the wicked will come to nothing.

⁶ The words of fools start quarrels.
    They make people want to beat them.

⁷ The words of fools will ruin them;
    their own words will trap them.

⁸ The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food.
    People like to gobble them up.

⁹ A person who doesn’t work hard
    is just like someone who destroys things.

¹⁰ The Lord is like a strong tower;
    those who do right can run to him for safety.

¹¹ Rich people trust their wealth to protect them.
    They think it is like the high walls of a city.

¹² Proud people will be ruined,
    but the humble will be honored.